334 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The area surrounding Camptonville, California features a variety of camping opportunities along the Yuba River and nearby Bullards Bar Reservoir. Several developed campgrounds including Dark Day, Schoolhouse, and Indian Valley offer tent and RV camping with varying amenities. The region includes both lakeside options at Collins Lake Recreation Area and South Yuba Campground along the river corridor, plus cabin accommodations at Manzanita Rock Meadow. Most campgrounds in this Sierra foothills location maintain seasonal operations, with many sites closing from late October through April.
Access to water is a significant consideration when selecting campgrounds in this area. Many campgrounds have limited or no direct water access despite proximity to lakes and rivers. "The reservoir is gorgeous to look out at but the bank all the way around is very steep. From the campground there is no easy access to the water," noted one visitor about Schoolhouse Campground. Road noise can be an issue at several sites, particularly those along Highway 49. Most developed campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage, as bears are active throughout the region. Summer temperatures can be quite hot, with some visitors reporting smoky conditions during fire season. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds.
Waterfront recreation remains the primary draw for camping near Camptonville despite access challenges. Bullards Bar Reservoir attracts boaters and anglers, with Dark Day Campground receiving positive reviews for water activities. A camper mentioned that "If you own a boat, camp here! There's good fishing, water skiing and a fun family friendly campground." The South Yuba River provides swimming opportunities with several campgrounds offering hiking access to swimming holes. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, though tent campers should note that generator noise can be disruptive at campgrounds allowing RVs without hookups. Mosquitoes are commonly mentioned in reviews, particularly at riverside campgrounds like Fiddle Creek. Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, making reservations advisable for peak season visits.
"This campground is above Marysville California."
"They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our "front door" from our 27' travel trailer."
"There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake."
"It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Just know that here on The Dyrt, the location on the map for some reason shows it as being many miles away from Kidder Ct: it’s marked as if it is at Higgins Corner, halfway to Auburn?"
"Super clean and friendly Not congested and close to many hiking trails Easy drive and close to Nevada City.
Especially nice during Christmas Season. Feels like walking back in time."
"I love this campground and this area of California. It is not directly situated on the Hwy, and abuts the Yuba River, which is clear and gorgeous and draws a lot of birds and wildlife."
"We were looking for a spot next to the Yuba River and found this gem. Only 17 campsites so it’s not crowded. It’s also away from any road noise."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"They said it would be okay as long as I had the gear to sleep outside in a tent as well. The place was quiet and we had no issues."
"Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
"This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers."
"There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at it's best. Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Dark Day is a drive up camp, but there's boat in camping available at the lake as well."
"One of our favorite Lakes"
from $24 - $72 / night
Check Availability"It was quiet and private, but close to the hosts so they visited when I had questions about the best spots for swimming and hiking nearby."
"Had a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed the quiet(except for the coyotes in the distance!). Galen, our host, was always available to answer questions and to bring extra firewood."
from $55 / night
"The individual sites are distanced enough so it still feels private, bathrooms and water was available. Hiked the pioneer trail and then went swimming in the lake nearby."
"It was only a 20-minute drive from home in Nevada City. We enjoyed hanging around the campground, took a cruise over to Rucker Lake for some exploring."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Our site even had a little bit of a private beach access to the river once you walk down from the bushes. Our site was pretty much in the sun so bring a canopy!"
from $24 / night
Check Availability
TravelerThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
TravelerIncredible campground! All campers were super respectful of the quiet hours and the campground hosts were great. They work very hard to keep the campground clean. The river isn’t super easy to access but there’s a rope to help you down to the river access spot. The section of the river throughout the campground is claimed so no panning. We loved our stay and can’t wait to go back.
RangerWe got a full hookup 50 amp back in site next to the trout pond. Sites are level and the park is easy to navigate. Park has laundry, showers and a dump station with water fill. Walking distance to grocery and dining. Access to hike/bike trails. Although close to highway the back of the campground was pretty quiet.
RangerI didn't stay here but I went to buy a camper shell. All the management were very friendly and cheerful. They went it off their way to be helpful. As we left we saw some people passing and the place looked well kept.
GuideA freshly worked dirt lot. Like a freshly plowed field. Tractor tire tracks make walking difficult. There is no signage at all. I'm not sure I'm not on private property. May be the sketchiest road I've ever driven. I intended to stay a week. Instead, I got here at sunset, I'm leaving at first light. Somehow, it has mosquitoes.
TravelerWe stayed in mid September 26. There was only one family camping the first few days we were there and then we had the entire campground to ourselves. Location was beautiful and it was extremely quiet with exception to the wildlife. Lots of deer, geese, ducks and squirrels. Possible one bear sure to a dumpster dive with shredded garbage on our last day. We were in a 28' RV. Rv camping is a no frill experience. No hook-ups but water spigot at each site. RVs have to parallel park at the top of the hill area. They campers have the difficulty of finding a level spot because most of the tent camping is on a slope. Flush toilets are available. Spotty cell service on Verizon's visible service but we were still able to stream entertainment on our phone's hotspot. Overall, we loved it stay due to the scenery and the obvious peacefulness due to an empty campground. Our 3 night stay midweek with no hook-ups was just over $200.00 which is to me absolutely outrageous but we needed a place to stay on short notice. Aside from the cost, we had an absolutely wonderful peaceful experience watching the wildlife and beautiful scenery.
ScoutTakes a good hour plus to get from 80 to the French Meadows area. Very windy drive, road a bit rough, watch out for rocks. Campground is very quiet. Great hiking trails and gets nice and dark at night. Seems to be a good camp for fishermen. No hooks up, but a dump station up the road. Site size is typically much smaller that stated. May be tough for longer campers and trucks. Rangers are very relax. Will be back.
ScoutWe paid for 5 nights, and left after four. The first day we were immediately approached by the host who rudely lectured about us leaving a phone number off of the pay envelope. The envelope had no designated spot for a phone number. She then handed us a list off rules: No dogs of leash, no generator off the blacktop, no outdoor showers, no chainsaw, and on and on. We were the only ones who kept our dog on a leash. She sold us two bundles of pine firewood the first night then proceeded to tell us the next day the water would be off and we couldn’t have a campfire. Friday night comes around and starting at 11 pm a woman is screaming and our tent is lit up by spotlights. She continues her drunken screams until 12:30 which we figure out she is calling a dog. The spotlights stayed on until 2am. The host lives way above the campground and there is no possible way she can hear the goings on at night. We also have no way of contacting her. Saturday morning we are told the water will be off and this time we are not allowed to use our stove or lanterns. We were forced to cut our trip short because we had no way to cook our meals or have adequate lighting once it got dark. I initially planned to stop payment on the check I wrote but felt that wouldn’t be right because we had a few good days. I contacted them and was told we were not forced to leave left on our own so we wouldn’t be getting a refund. The host was very overbearing she even knocked on our neighbors camper door accusing him of leaving the toilet seat up in the outhouse. Our vacation was ruined
The Camptonville area sits in the Sierra foothills at approximately 2,800 feet elevation, where summer temperatures often reach 90°F during peak camping season from May through September. Campgrounds in this region connect visitors to the Tahoe National Forest ecosystem, with oak woodlands giving way to mixed conifer forests. Several campsites near Camptonville, California provide access to both river recreation and reservoir activities with varying degrees of amenities.
Mountain biking and hiking trails: White Cloud Campground provides direct access to Pioneer Trail for outdoor activities. "So fun and quiet for the most part. Pioneer trail is amazing for mountain biking and hiking," notes one visitor about White Cloud.
Swimming at Yuba River: The South Yuba area offers natural swimming holes with clear, cool water. "This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time," shares a visitor to South Yuba Campground.
Fishing and boating: Bullards Bar Reservoir attracts anglers and water sports enthusiasts. "If you own a boat, camp here! There's good fishing, water skiing and a fun family friendly campground," reports a visitor about Dark Day Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the area provide opportunities to observe local fauna. At Lake of the Springs, one camper mentioned, "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!"
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds in the region offer varying levels of seclusion. "The campground had large spaces, perfect for your own privacy," notes a visitor to Schoolhouse Campground.
Clean facilities: Inn Town Campground receives praise for its maintenance standards. One visitor commented, "The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained. We even had a heated mattress pad in our glamping tent to keep warm."
Proximity to swimming: Access to water activities ranks high among campers' priorities. "We spent the days at Fuller Dam, and the Yuba River and Scotts Flat Reservoir are nearby too," shared a visitor to Inn Town Campground.
Scenic lakefront sites: At Collins Lake Recreation Area, waterfront locations are highly valued. "We stayed at site 60A Lake Front View, which had stunning water views and a spacious setup. The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade."
Steep water access: Despite proximity to Bullards Bar Reservoir, many campgrounds have challenging approaches to the water. A camper at Schoolhouse Campground observed, "The reservoir is gorgeous to look out at but the bank all the way around is very steep. From the campground there is no easy access to the water."
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience traffic sounds. "The campground is no-frills and right on the highway, but a nice place overall," notes a visitor to White Cloud Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At Lake of the Springs, one camper reported, "Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
Generator noise: Campgrounds accommodating both tents and RVs without hookups may have noise issues. "Schoolhouse is definitely busier and louder. It's mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you'll be surrounded by them," advises one camper.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be prevalent, particularly near water. Pack repellent and consider timing visits. "A lot of mosquitoes, but once the fire kicks in they scatter," notes a visitor to Indian Valley Campground.
Swimming options for children: Lake of the Springs offers family-friendly water recreation. "We spent practically the whole weekend in the lake. It was the perfect temperature to sit in for hours. No motorized water craft kept it quiet," shares one visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: Collins Lake provides multiple recreation options. "Great place for family camping. They also have boat rentals," mentions a visitor, while another adds, "Plenty of activities for the family, like fishing and hiking."
Wildlife encounters: Organized wildlife viewing can be educational for children. "We loved Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly," comments one camper about the recreational opportunities.
Site selection considerations: At Schoolhouse Campground, RV parking requires planning. "While the space was long enough for our 35 ft trailer and truck the pad was narrow and there are a lot of rocks to maneuver around. We were barely able to open our slide and drop the stairs due to the amount of large rocks on each side of the pad."
Electrical reliability: Some campgrounds experience utility issues. At Lake of the Springs, a visitor noted, "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues."
Parking and maneuvering: Campsite layouts vary significantly. At Manzanita Rock Meadow, a visitor mentioned, "It was a little challenging getting our 16' trailer to the pad but it was worth it. So quiet and serene there. I don't think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site and the road to the entrance is a bit rough."
Weight restrictions: Be aware of road limitations when planning routes. A South Yuba Campground visitor noted, "Google and garmin routing from Nevada City takes a bridge with a 4 Ton weight restriction," which can impact larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What recreational activities and attractions can I enjoy while visiting Camptonville, CA?
Camptonville's Sierra foothill location offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. The area near Gold Lake 4x4 Campground provides excellent fishing, phenomenal hiking trails with views overlooking the Sierra Buttes, and off-road adventures (high-clearance vehicles required). Yellow Creek Campground offers a less crowded alternative to Lake Almanor with stunning views of Humbug Valley. The Yuba River is perfect for swimming, fishing, and gold panning. Mountain biking enthusiasts can enjoy the famous Downieville downhill trails. The Gold Lake Highway nearby gives access to multiple alpine lakes and hiking opportunities. For those interested in history, the area features numerous Gold Rush-era sites and ghost towns to explore.
Where are the best campgrounds in Camptonville, CA?
Camptonville offers excellent camping options in the Sierra foothills. Tahoe National Forest Wild Plum Campground provides large, private sites nestled in a pine forest along Haypress Creek, close to the Yuba River. It's popular with mountain bikers heading to nearby Downieville. Indian Valley is another great option directly near Camptonville with reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Other notable campgrounds in the region include Cal-Ida with its peaceful riverside settings, and Dark Day Campground which offers water and toilets. Most campgrounds in the area are accessible via drive-in and provide basic amenities like fire pits and picnic tables.
What camping is available near Camptonville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Camptonville, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 334 campgrounds and RV parks near Camptonville, CA and 15 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Camptonville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Camptonville, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Camptonville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Camptonville, CA.
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